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Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
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October 27, 2003
Better late than never! The final race of the F1VWC 2003 took place in Japan less than 2 weeks ago. Winner Daniel Wilkinson and 2nd placed Mikko Jakonen give their comments. Unfortunately 3rd placed Petri Loukasmaki was unavailable to complete the top 3 finishers comments.

Winner - Daniel Wilkinson (EIRE)

Q - Daniel, you did all you possibly could to win the Drivers Championship by winning here in Japan, but Shiro Ryong came home in 4th place to win the Championship by 1 point. What are your plans for 2004?

A - First of all I'd like to thank Kieran for doing his best today. He struggled with his tyres and still put in a supreme effort. My plans for next season are on hold. I'm gonna take a break and make a decision in February/March before the season starts.

Q - Regarding the race itself, how did you find driving around Suzuka? It's quite a circuit, I think you would agree? I heard that you had to leave your sick bed to drive on race day?

A - Yeah I was feeling bloody awful and really thought I wasn't gonna make it to the grid but I wanted this Championship and pushed myself to race. I'm glad I did 'cos as the race went I felt better so it seems to have done me good!

Q - How would you sum up your 2003 season?

A - A season of 2 halves! Apart from the first 2 races I really wasn't worried about where I finished in the race and that I think cost me the Championship, as well as Shiro's brilliant driving of course. Canada qualifying was the turning point and from there I didn't look back. Having fast opponents like Mikko, Shiro, Petri and Kieran can make you go at and sometimes, what you thought was your peak.

It's been a great year for me, the team and the league, and I hope it continues.

2nd Position - Mikko Jakonen (Mapes-VO)

Q - 2nd place when you needed a win to keep your Drivers Championship title, but you still drove a strong race - I believe you had neck problems from an early stage?

A - Yeah, I needed the win, but even if I had won it would not have been enough for the title, so it doesn't matter. I was on 3 stops when Daniel chose 2 stops, and he won me by about 20 seconds, so I might've been better off with a 2 stop strategy as well. The weather was not as warm as we had expected, so I had some problems with understeer through the race, but the car was good enough. I did get some neck pains during the first stint so I couldn't drive as fast as I wanted; the pain was quite bad at the finish. Anyway, good enough race, in par with the level I've shown in the last few races. Not good enough though this year.

Q - Since the Canadian Grand Prix, you have not won an F1VWC Grand Prix. Have there been any particular reasons for that? And how will you ensure that you come back stronger in 2004?

A - Too fast competition is probably the most obvious explanation. I did have a few bad weekends where I didn't have enough time to get the setup and my driving together. And the margins were so tight that something like that backfired on me instantly. The constructor's title show that we have a good package, and with all the things that happened mid-season I think we came through quite ok. Next year we'll have to learn from this year's mistakes and make sure we give no room for slacking right from the beginning.

Q - How would you sum up your 2003 season?

A - I had a fun year, some good races, some not so good. I think I proved my basic speed in qualifying, but the race pace and race strategy left something to be desired at some races. The beginning of the season was very promising anyway. My biggest disappointment was probably at Hockenheim, where I was still comfortably leading the championship, got the pole and based on free practise was going to drive for an easy victory, only to have an engine failure and losing the lead in the Championship. After that it was more or less downhill for me. But it was a good year; I had a lot of fun with you all.

3rd Position - Petri Loukasmaki (Mapes-VO)

Unavailable for comment.